Kolkata: A predawn rampage by a local gang left residents of a south Kolkata neighbourhood in a state of terror after miscreants forced their way into a community facility, vandalized property, stole valuables, and directed verbal threats and abuse at local women and inhabitants on Aug 8.
The police, however, had initially dragged its feet and finally lodged a FIR in the incident on Aug 15 after preliminary probe showed the involvement of the criminal gang.
Around 4 am on Aug 8, a group of miscreants led by a local offender forcefully entered the Tiljala Noblemen Union Club on Shamsul Huda Road. The attackers unleashed a wave of intimidation across the locality, specifically targeting women with abusive language that intended to insult their modesty.
The gang hurled explicit death threats, shouting “Goli mar denge” (will shoot you), while also publicly defaming local representatives and respected community members to instill widespread fear.
Before fleeing the scene, the accused allegedly also carried out extensive vandalism inside and around the club premises. They smashed club furniture, severely damaged multiple motorbikes parked outside, and stole brass utensils estimated at approximately ₹35,000. The entire sequence of events—including the forced entry and property destruction—was captured on the club’s CCTV surveillance system.
Following an inquiry into a petition filed by the club president, the Karaya Police initiated a formal legal probe. Karaya police officers inspected the crime scene, reviewed the preserved CCTV footage, and recorded statements from local residents.
Based on the findings, police subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the primary accused, Md. Arshad, and his associates under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The charges include Section 329(4) for house-trespass, Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation, Section 79 for acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, Section 303(2) for theft, Section 324(4) for mischief causing damage, and Section 54 for criminal abatement. Investigating officers are analyzing the video evidence to track down and arrest all suspects involved in the incident.